Omega Announces Seamaster Planet Ocean Liquidmetal Limited Edition
OMEGA has announced the launch of the Seamaster Planet Ocean Liquidmetal® Limited Edition, the world’s first watch to bond ceramics and Liquidmetal®. Swatch Group researchers collaborating with OMEGA’s product development team have created a striking ceramic diving bezel whose numbers and scaling, made of the Liquidmetal® alloy, appear in stunning silvery contrast to the black ceramic background. The colour of the ceramic dial perfectly matches that of the bezel. The result is an aesthetic wonder only made possible by several new and innovative processes.
Omega Seamaster Planet Ocean Liquidmetal Limited Edition
Liquidmetal®: seamless bonding, remarkable hardness
The Liquidmetal® alloy is an amorphous metal – a metallic material with a disordered, non-crystalline atomic structure. Its fusion temperature is half that of conventional titanium alloys but when it is cooled, its hardness is three times as great as that of stainless steel. Its amorphous structure allows it to bond seamlessly with the ceramic bezel.
Swatch Group researchers collaborating with OMEGA’s product development team have created a striking ceramic diving bezel whose numbers and scaling, made of the Liquidmetal® alloy, appear in stunning silvery contrast to the black ceramic background.
The Liquidmetal® is a bulk metallic glass alloy consisting of five elements: zirconium, titanium, copper, nickel and beryllium. A bulk metallic glass can, by virtue of its low critical cooling rate, be formed into a structure with a thickness of more than a tenth of a millimetre. Zirconium is an important constituent part both of the Liquidmetal® alloy and of the ceramic material which is made of zirconium dioxide (Zr02).
The final, perfectly smooth bezel is particularly resistant to scratching and corrosion because of the hardness of the two components.
The union of ceramics and Liquidmetal® at OMEGA
First, ceramic rings are formed. The numbers and the fine lines of the minute scaling are then engraved into these ceramic bezel rings and polished. The alloy is heated and pressed into the cavities in the ceramic material after which any excess Liquidmetal® is removed. The Liquidmetal® can be manipulated at a lower temperature than metals normally used in watchmaking so the heating process does not damage the ceramic material.
The Liquidmetal® numbers and scales are then satin brushed. Because the ceramic is a harder material than the alloy, the satin brushing of the fine details can be done without affecting the ceramic bezel. The numbers and scaling then appear in bold, vivid contrast to the glossy ceramic background.
Redefining longevity in the watch industry
The OMEGA Seamaster Planet Ocean Liquidmetal® Limited Edition, which has a stainless steel case and bracelet, is driven by OMEGA’s revolutionary Co-Axial calibre 2500. These movements, which have been heralded for their long-term chronometric performance, are perfectly complemented by the ceramic and Liquidmetal® alloy components which are incredibly resistant to corrosion and scratching. The result is pure OMEGA: a design premiere which will retain its appearance indefinitely, blended with innovative Co-Axial technology.
Print this article
- (Mar 18, 2010) Omega Introduces Constellation Ladies Quartz 35 mm Timepiece. OMEGA’s re-designed Constellation line In 1982, OMEGA launched the first Constellation to feature the radical and enduring “Griffes” or claws, which immediately placed the watch line among the ranks of the world’s most instantly identifiable timepieces. This white Constellation Ladies Quartz 35 mm timepiece with a polished 18 Ct red gold case and a white alligator leather strap is an ideal accessory for any wardrobe...
- (Mar 17, 2010) Omega Constellation Double Eagle 4-Counters. The Constellation Double Eagle watches have long celebrated OMEGA’s close relationship with the Royal and Ancient Game of golf. Like the other members of the family, the Constellation Double Eagle 4-Counters has a sporty dial in matt black with contrasting counters...
- (Mar 17, 2010) Omega Seamaster Aqua Terra Annual Calendar. Since their launch, OMEGA’s Seamaster Aqua Terra watches have attracted a large, enthusiastic following. The watches selected from the Aqua Terra Annual Calendar collection include a bi-coloured model in 18 Ct red gold and stainless steel and another in stainless steel...
- (Jun 26, 2009) Seamaster Aqua Terra Co-Axial Chronograph: the New Member of the Omega Seamaster Aqua Terra Collection. OMEGA has just introduced the new member of the Seamaster Aqua Terra collection, the Seamaster Aqua Terra Co-Axial Chronograph. The Seamaster Aqua Terra Co-Axial Chronograph is available in four case materials: 18 Ct white gold, 18 Ct red gold, stainless steel or, in the bi-coloured version pictured here featuring 18 Ct red gold and stainless steel...
- (Jun 20, 2009) Omega Introduces the Seamaster Aqua Terra Co-Axial GMT Chronograph. When OMEGA’s new Seamaster Aqua Terra collection was launched in 2008, it was enthusiastically embraced by watch aficionados for its blend of eye-catching design excellence and innovating watchmaking technology. The Seamaster Aqua Terra Co-Axial Chronograph GMT is available either in 18 Ct red gold or in stainless steel...
